Spring Art Show next Thursday

Next week will be a wonderful opportunity for local residents to check out some of the wonderful pieces created by local students at the Whitehall High School Spring Art Show and Sale.

The event will take place Thursday, May 16 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the art wing of the middle school building. The show and sale will take place before, during, and after the annual 6-12 Pops Concert.

The show will include paintings, drawings, printmaking and ceramics.

The art department also hosted a sale during the first semester and according to teacher Gayle Walter, it went really well.

"We had a good turnout and the students sold a lot of pieces," she said.

Walter requires high school students to submit a minimum of one piece in the show/sale, but it is optional of they want to list it for sale. 90 percent of the proceeds go back to the students and 10 percent goes to the art department of a supply fee.

Montana art content standards for grades 9 to 12 states, "have students apply appropriate methods or processes to display their artwork in a specific place."

Walter thought it would be really rewarding and a great experience for students to meet that standard through an art show and invite the community to view it.

"Students have to not only create their artwork but prepare it for display. They must think about the final processes of art - presenting it to someone other than themselves and their teacher," Walter said. "Selling it for a profit is a cherry on top. Many of these students might not realize it yet, but their work is worth something. We have so many talented students who have spent this year, whether in Art I or Advanced Art, pouring their heart and soul into their artwork. I am humbled by the hard work and respect they have shown their projects this year. For some, this is their first year taking art. At the start of the year I always hear 'I can't do art.' or 'I'm not artistic.' One of the coolest parts about being an art teacher is watching those students' confidence change through the course of the year. They realize that art can be learned and that you don't have to be born with an artistic talent to make great art."